Nestled in the Ozarks of north-central Arkansas, within a dozen miles of the Missouri state line, is the little community of Salem.

After spending some length of time scouting the northern part of the state with his father and brother (Mose M. and Amos, respectively), Vernon Borntreger moved his family here from McKenzie, TN in December of 2008.

Vernon and family now operate Riverside Produce, seen here:

The next year Mose and Amos also brought their families to the area. The three families each built on 30-50 acre tracts on either side the Southfork Spring River north of Salem.

As you can see, this modest stream plays prominently in the naming of the various Amish home businesses.

This log-cabin-style house is where Mose and his wife live:

Mose has a harness shop (photo below), and it would seem that Mary Ellen runs the Cozy Cabin homemade baked goods store right next to their home.

In 2010 the John Shelter family moved into the community from LaPlata, MO, and started a saw mill business:

Later that same year the Levi Borntrager family moved in along the river (am I the only one hearing the old song, “Shall We Gather at the River” playing in my head? (ha)), and established a farm and woodworking shop:

Levi’s son, LeRoy, lives next to his dad’s place in a combination home/store that serves as the community’s bulk food and variety store. And yes, it too is with a stone’s throw of the river.

This is the phone shanty near the store. As for the canoes, I’m not sure if they are rented them out, or are just for personal use by the family.

Here are some other pictures taken in this small community of about 10 families (according to the 2012 Central Plains Directory).

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Yes, Katie — that would be a lot of washing every week. But when you live in a family like this with a dad and four teenage/young adult boys still at home — and maybe some of the married sons/sones-in-law living in the same property — I guess loads like this are to be expected.

Erik, as always I consider it an honor and privilege to have my pictures included on one of your web pages. I enjoy the opportunity to be able to visit in the various Amish communities, and it just doubles the enjoyment when I can share them with others like this. Thanks.

I have been taking my horses to Amos, Moses son for horseshoeing. He lives just up the road from these pics, north of the bridge and has a beautiful home and barn for his Farrier service and 5 little boys and wife. On the same road as the produce barn. Very saddened to report that Moses passed away this last few months, sorry I do not have the exact date. He passed suddenly while attending a horse sale in a nearby town with a massive heart attack. His work at the saddle and Harness shop in leather and carriage making as well was much appreciated by many all around the area and different states as well….Moses is missed and will be missed by many.. RIP Moses… and God Bless ..

I live in Malvern at and would like a riding and buggy horse if you have a way you can contact me my no is 5013372107. Maybe you can send me pictures and tell me about horse have had a standbred beforehand uf

No, Slightly, I doubt it’s county sanctioned…., but that’s probably because this is likely not a county road. As best I could tell several of the Amish homes, businesses and even the school (which I did not get to see) are off the county road and require traveling on a private road to get back to. I didn’t notice this at first — the private road is kept up like the county road. But after passing through a couple of times I noticed a gate there at the intersection (where the sign is), so decided that it’s probably private.

Nice photos, Don. I appreciate you posting them. I didn’t get to this community when we went out thru Arkansas this summer, but it looks pleasant. We passed through several areas of North Arkansas/South Missouri that looked made to order for Amish/Mennonite settlements.

Hello i am Anja and i live in Holland (Dutch) and i love to read about the Amish life style. I would love to live with THE Amish for an amount of time. Just beginning my search for information. Thank you for the marvelous fotos

Anita, please forgive my delay in responding. Seems notifications are not getting to me when new posts are added here.

According to the 2012 Central Plains [Amish] Directory, there were 9 families listed at that time. I have heard through some contacts that one of the patriarchs (Mose Borntrager) in the settlement has passed away, so the numbers may not still be the same.

If you wish to visit, I would suggest going by the nursery. I visited with Vernon for a very few minutes while picking up a few items, and he seemed very engaging. Mose’s wife did run a baked goods place that seemed open to the public on select days (it wasn’t open when I was there), but I don’t know if the place is still open with Mose’s passing. There is also a small Amish store, but the lady who seemed to be the owner/operator didn’t strike me as much of the visiting type on the day I went through.

Thank you so much for getting back with me. Very helpful information. I do plan on visiting within the month, hopefully, the baked goods place will still be open. I am looking forward to my visit there. Have a great day.

I go to the amish store often and I find the lady who runs it very nice and helpful. Recently I needed suspenders fir my nephews to wear in a weddimg. After looking in every store in jonesboro and surrounding areas I went there since I knew they all wore them. She didn’t have any in the store but she happily made me two pair for the boys. And I think the bakery is only open on Friday niw. I talk to the lady who runs the bakery a lot at salem square on sat. Mornings. Never been to bakery but she did tell me it was open on sat. And where it was. They are all very nice people. Also the produce part I went recently and she didn’t have any radishes so she ran to garden and picked them for me.